Golf machine and attachment therefor



Dems, 1925. 1,564,812

I e. D. BABCOCK I GOLF MACHINE AND ATTACHMENT THEREFOR Filed Sept. 18, 1922 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

- ATTORNEY. 5

' G. D. BABCOCK GOLF MACHINE AND ATTACHMENT THEREFOR Filed Sept. 18, 1922 3 Sheets-sheet 2 ATTORNEY.

G. D. BABCOCK GOLF MACHINE. AND ATTACHMENT THEREFOR Dec. 8 1925. j 1,564,812

Filed Sept. 18, 1922 '3 Sheets-Sheet s I N VEN TOR.

A TTORNEY.

Geo. D. Babcoc/r,

Patented Dec. 8, 1925.

GEORGE .11.; BABOOCK;.LOF-B1 1ORIA, InmNOIi-ii- To all whom it may concern;

Be, it vknown that L I, Gr EORQIQ D BAnooo a citizen of the United-[State residing at e iai he ountyvt B olt a andi ta e' f" Illinois, have invented new and v useful. Im; mo me ts. n. G9 1"Mashinesensl etteshe mee erefora d. 19, reby" e i iei that the following is a full, clear, and'exact' c p i n. the n n i n. Whi wi sea bleothers sk lled ia't ea q s whislx'it e19: pertains to make and use thesame.

h s nvent on.- perta ns to swelled 1 ol machines or se f m ters, d. r la es ene ndanev l means adapte fo a me t to a h es if hi's. lass. both-t0. m r e h machines and for adding. interest to the ame.

Machines for this purpose. usually include a p ortion adaptedfor rotationto which a o f: bal is her a d: a Poin e 0 7' indicator to move with respect to' sets of figures indicating distances in yards h w to have. been tra e by ai l'be in, 1 given drive. Suchn achines are used to indicate to the player,through said indicatorand figures, the di'stanceof practicedrives.

l by mp ey ns. a pa a d ag am refer, he may mental-l-yplay over that co rse while observing the. indicated figures on the:

machine, to determine the. length of 'any drive made, or to be made, and compare it with a known distance indicated on saididia."

gram or chart. I

However, machines as commonly provided-:- have no means for permitting the; player to observe the interesting-effect 'of a drive of the tethered or captive ballother than that shown by thebalh'the said dial and its, indie cator. In addition, when makingdrives in connection with a plattedrgolf course the-- player is required tomentally calculate" distances of drives necessary to 'reaclrcerta'in objectives, such calculations taking the mindfrom the game and detracting from the interest thereof.

' The object of; my invention is that of pr0 viding for and placing upon a golf"machinea diagram, chart or drawing" of a gel-f pe ding thi' he' m as emen fi r ales n. t emac -d al- A s ,i-ee ie,

is'to providean indicator for traversing uchyd asram, ha y e y Whihi' the. distance of"a given drive of the captive ball will be denoted 'as' well as its supposed position of rest after such drive with respect" 'to the greens, fai'rways, and the like, on-the el er er edcq e i Another object that of :providing, in connectionwith such dia matters or drawing, ard irect-reading 4 scale showing a j j ea f' w Q as p i a w ens-- tance 'it has traveled, scaleshowii g. the distance ontlne chart said ball has yet togo; in asucceeding'drive, or drives',,to carry the indicator to One oninore objective points charted. i

My invention therefore-seeks to furnish,

in-a golf machine, a diagramor chart upon: 7

which any proposed or kno wngolf course isreproduced upon a smaller scalethan'anac tualground course, agn'indicjator, and mechanis ni operated byfth e bal l in-its flight for moving the indicator across the diagram 1 a the travel of'said 'captive ball. Also, to -furnish a diagram orchart of a golf course,- and a direct-reading scale,- one adapted to move withrespect to-"the other, so designed that" the exact. distance of drives made-and'to be made are directly read. Furthermore, an object -is' that of providing a diagram or chart of I a golf course, and a scale and indi 9 distanceordistances in exact proportion to cator adapted-for-movement with respect to said diagram or chart'furnished as attach ments for a golfm achineWithout-respect to its form or type.

In the appended drawings-: 7

Figure 1-isa front elevation ofparts of a golf inachineshowing my invention.

Figure 21is a plan of ascale-carry-ing dial, 7 and-an associated part or ring having thereon the representation of a portion-of a golf course;

Figure 3 is a plan of otherparts or rings similar to that shown in Figure- 2.

Figure 4 is a transversesectional elevation 1 of-th ernachine shown in Figure l, and:

.iCOlll'SB, prepared according to fancy, or platted fo'rfany given or proposed-golf course, or any part of the same, whereonthe tees, greens, fairways, sand pits, the rough, and the like, and varioushazardsare all clearly shown, the distances platted corre- Figure 5 is a plan of a slightly different-S105. arrangement of parts shown injF-i gures l and 2. i

Machines for golf practice are-fairly well knownand I shall therefore merely describe suflicientstructure of a machine to illustrate 110.

the use and purpose of my invention in connection therewith.

1 designates an upright, for example, supporting a dial-carrying head 2, and 1 is a member rotatably mounted upon said upright. Journaled centrally in the head is a shaft or arbor 3, Figure 4, suitably operated through any desired speed reducing gear, not shown, by means of a shaft 6 journaled in an upright position in the head 2 and carrying at its lower end a gear 7. In mesh with said gear 7 is a gear 8 secured on the described rotatable member 1'. Attached to one end of the member 1 is a cable 9 to whose opposite extremity a .golf ball 9 is secured.

Golf machines are usually so designed that by means of reducing gear of one type or another, the distance actually traveled by the captive ball is shown upon a dial or other scale by means of a hand or pointer, the distance between any two division marks of said dial being proportional to a given distance of actual travel or flight of said ball, all of which is made use of in connection with my invention, now to be described;

The numeral 10 indicates a dial mounted upon the shaft or arbor 3, being secured thereon by any suitable means, I having shown in this instance, as one method, a screw 10 passing through said dial and entering said shaft. There may be sufficient friction between the dial and shaft to secure positive rotation of said dial with the shaft, while at the same time permitting the said dial to be turned with respect to the shaft on occasion, or, the shaft itself may be so mounted that it and the dial may be turned withrespect to the gear that operates said shaft, the purpose of which will appear.

Adjacent the dial is a support for receiving upon it the charted representation of a golf course or portion thereof, said support, in this instance, taking the form of a ring 11 as a matter of convenience, said dial I 100 yard drive of the ball 9 that exact distance will be shown in the travel of the indicator upon said drawing or chart as scaled, the reading of the dial agreeing therewith.

Upon the ring shown inFigures 1 and 2 there is represented for example, a tee at 12, at 13 the rough, at 14 the fairway, at 15 the green and so on, which may be a course prepared accordingto fancy or it may be one actually reproduced from a known course, while in Figure 3 other ground-layouts are represented. The several rings as a whole may show an entire golf course or one ring surface may carry the entire course depending upon the scale of the drawing or chart and the ratio of reduction of movement between the ball 9 and the indicator 10.

It is desirable to provide means for permitting easy removal of the ring or rings so that they may be reversed in position or replaced by others and to this end I provide some such means as is shown in Figures 1 and 4, though any other device may be employed. For instance, 16 is a ring having a series of spring wires 16 attached to it at intervals for gripping, frictionally, the outer surface of the head 2 as shown, said wires 16 including extensions or legs 17 for abutting upon the ring and retaining it in position.

Returning now to the dial 10, it is observed that there are two columns of figures arranged thereupon readingfrom'O to 590, preferably progressing by tens and expressing yards. It is observed, further, that the O of both columns lies upon the same radial line and that the figures progress in value in opposite directions. Now, while the use of these two columns is not new in a golf machine, yet because the dial having the figure columns denoted thereon rotates with respect to the ring 11 a new result is produced in that thereby the player is always enabled to determine by a glance at the dial, and by direct reading, the exact distancehis ball may have been driven, also the number of yards he has still to drive his ball to reach a given position. For example, in Figure 1 the indicator 10 is at the starting tee denoted at 12. The player by observing the outer scale of figures reads 1 10 yards as the actual distance his ball 9 must be driven in order thatthe machine shall register a drive that will carry said indicator beyond the rough indicated at 13'.

.Now, if his subsequent drive of the ball 9 has been such as to have carried the indicator 10 beyond the rough 13 and upon the fairway 14, see Figure 2, then not only is he enabled to read in the outer column the 7 change the indicator 10 is placed upon the Gel issa-era newstarting tee, as permitted the move ment of the diatwith respect tothegshafti or arbor 3 described earlier he'reim'andz the drives or plays may be 'continued The drawings or diagramsand the midi cater to work in conjunction therewith,

viously described columns of figures are now on a fixed ring or-annulus 18, corresponding to 11'', instead of on a central rotatingdial" v position and extends inwardly to overhang the-area enclosed by saidring or annulus.

Also, the charted golf course is placed upon and" either form therefore may be used and readily adapted to-such atype of machine as is illustrated herein; and thesame general principles are ap-p "eable--toany other machine, merely requiring such slight changes as may bis necessary toaccommodate a given type.

I do not ing mysel f to the exact struetuees herein shown since various mino'r changes be readily'nrade'which will serve the samepu r pose.

I claim: 1. A-m-achine for the purposes named-in eluding, in combination, a scaled chart re? producing in miniature the ground layout of anoutdoor game course includinga repof ground surface of said course, orpart thereof, and an 1nd-1'cator' orpornter therefor, mechanism adapted for imparting movement to one ofthe described partswith respect to the other, a captive ball tethered: to said mechanism adaptedinliight to im part movement to the movable part andspeed reducing gearing included in said"- mechanisin' arranged whereby the actual distance of travel of a ballupon the course is 'indi'ca'ted at Said chart 1n accordance with the scale up onwv'hi'ch' the'latte'rproduced.

2-. A machine ofthe type and for the purposes named including, in combination; a scaled chart reproducingin' miniature the ground layout of an outdoor'game course including a" representation of the physical n that the diagram i The two pre-' wish to' be understood as limit- 'tions, the divisio-nson said scales represent characteristics of ground surfacenof; said course, an. Indicator or pointer therefor,

mechanism operatively' connected f tioz'on'e :ofx thedescribedf'parts for movingit; withiree spect to the other, ascale at saidindicator. 7 or pointer eachirof'whose' distanceyd'enoting divisions corresponds ini'value with; a given distance platted on saidchart-,: and. a captive ball tethered to,said.'mechanisn1:in-- eluding speed-reducing gearing arranged whereby the='actuali distance traveled-Why a ball upon said course is represented; on said chart by said pointer -in.- direct 'propor tion to such actual travel and according: to the scale on which. such chart is prof-'1 30 duced. I I l 3'; A machine of the. type and. for the purposes- 11a1ned"incl-uding,"in combination;

platted chartfreproducing; in miniature the ground" layout of an outdoor'game-course to scale, the same including a representatton: of the physical characteristicsofthe ground surface 7 of said course, an: indicatoupr pointer for use in conjunction: therewith, mechanism operatively connected to' one-oifyl the described-parts for-movin g 'it withrrew spect to the other, a series of'figiures sep-- aratefrom the chart for scalin'gridi'stanoe's; on said chart, one of the last named elements also being movable with resp'ectsto: the other through said mechanism, and a! captive-ball, v tethered to the mechanism, the latter iii-f, eluding speed reducing ge'aring by' which theactual distance-travelof a ballv fupon the course is reproduced" on the chart by saidind'icatoror pointer iir't'he travellof" said'captive ball; 45A" machine ofthe type and for, the purposes named 'in'cl irdi'ng in" combination; 7 a plattedchart representing "in miniature the ground layout of an outdoor game course,"an"indicatoror pointer for" use in conjunction" with said chart, onleof thede scribed parts being movable, H1GCl12tIL1S1n" operatrvely connected to the movable. part includiiig a reducing gearing, a captive ib'all resentatron of tlie'-"physical 'characteristics H havingjthereon two scales: disposed ad acent tetheredto said '1'necha1rism;and'an element."

the saidchart readingin oppositeflirecmg on said chart know-n distances on the said game-course. V v '5. A machine of the type and for the purposes named including, in combination, a platted chart representing the ground layout of an outdoorgame-course, ail-indicator or pointer for use in conjunction therewith including two columns of figures disposed-l adjacent said chart ;to' be read upon the same, the figures of the columns reading: in oppositedirectii'ons from a common posi tion on the chart,;the latterfantl the in dicator or pointer'with its figure columns adapted to move one-with respect to the 9 other, mechanism ope'rativel'y connected to;

the movable element of the described parts, and a captive ball arranged to impart movement to said mechanism. 1

6. A machine of the type and for the purposes named including, incombination, a platted chart representing the ground layout of an outdoor game-course, an indicator or pointer for use in conjunction therewith including two columns of figures disposed adjacent said chart to be read upon the same, the figures of the columns reading in opposite directions from a common position on the chart, the latter and the indicator or pointer with its figure columns adapted to move with respect to one another, the indicator or pointer and figure columns being .rixed relatively, mechanism operatively connected to the movable element of the described parts, and a captive ball arranged to impart movement f to said mechanism.

7. The combination with a machine for playing golf including mounted movable mechanism, a ball tethered to said mechanism adapted to impart movement thereto, and an indicator operated by the mechanism, a chart having thereon the representation of'a golf course traversed by said indicator, including a representation of the physical characteristics of ground surface of said course, and a measurement scale movable with the indicator to represent the actual travel of said ball.

8. The combination, in a golf machine, of an indicator, a mounted chart at said indicator representing a playing course, one of the described parts adapted for movement, a captive ball operatively connected to the movable part, and a direct reading scale fixed with respect to the indicator and lying contiguous to said chart for denoting thereon the distance of a succeeding drive of the ball necessary to reach an objective.

9. The combination, in a golf machine, of an indicator, a mounted chart at said indicator representing a playing course, one of the described parts adapted for movement whereby the indicator will denote positions on said chart, a captive ball arranged and adapted. to impart such movement, two direct reading figure columns fixed with respect to the indicator, lying contiguous to said chart, and reading in opposite directions, one for denoting the distance of a drive of the ball necessary to reach an objective, the' other denoting the distance covered in a completed drive of said ball.

10. In combination with a golf machine including a captive ball and an indicator to which motion is transmitted by the ball in its flight, of a chart mounted on the machine representing a course to be traversed by said indicator, and a direct-reading scale movable with the indicator indicating at the end of each drive of said ball the distance of a succeeding drive necessary to reach an objective.

11. In combination with a golf machine, including a captive ball, and an indicator to which motion is transmitted by the ball in its flight for reproducing on said machine the extent of travel of said ball in each drive thereof, a direct-reading scale movable with the indicator arrangedvto show in direct reading on the machine at the end of each movement of the indicator the distance necessary to drive the ball to reach an objective.

12. In combination with a golf machine, including a captive ball and an indicator to which motion is transmitted by the ball in its flight for reproducing on said machine the extent of travel of said ball in each drive thereof, a scale movable with the indicator arranged to show in direct reading at the end of each movement of said indicator the distance of necessary travel of the ball to reach an objective.

13. In combination with a golf machine, including a captive ball and an indicator to which motion is transmitted by the ball in its flight for reproducing on said machine the extent of travel of said ball in each drive thereof, a dial movable with the indicator jective, the other set of figures showing in direct-reading the distance traversed by the ball in preceding drives.

14. A golf machine including in its construction a captive ball, a chart of a golf course, an indicator operated by the ball,

. the same denoting on said chart the actual travel of the ball, and a dial adapted for rotation with respect to the chart and having thereon a scale, said scale adapted by direct-reading to indicate the distance of actual travel of the ball and the drive to be imparted thereto necessary to carry it to an objective.

15. A golf machine including in its construction a captive ball, a chart of a golf course, an indicator operated by the ball, the same denoting on said chart the actual travel of the ball, and a dial rotatable with the indicator and having thereon a direct reading scale adapted and arranged to indicate from any position of rest of said indicator the distance of travel in yards necessary to be'made by the ball to carry said indicator to an objective point on said chart.

16. A golf machine including in its construction a captive ball, a chart of a golf course, an indicator to denote on said chart the actual travel of the ball in a given drive, and a dial rotatable with the indicatorand having thereon two distance-indicating a given starting position of said indicator,-

one showing by direct reading the length of a drive of said ball necessary to carry said indicator from a given position thereof to an objective point on the chart, the other showing the length of a drive of the ball oreviously made.

17. An attachment for a machine for playing a game including a mounted part comprising a platted chart of a game course including denoted playing positions, and a part including a measurement scale fixed relatively thereto positioned adjacent the chart whereby to indicate to a player at said machine measured distances thereon, one of the described parts being adapted to travel with respect to the other.

18. An attachment for a machine for playing a game including a captive ball, said attachment including a platted chart of a game course'including denoted playing positions, and a part includinga measurement scale fixed relatively thereto positioned adjacent the chart whereby to indicate to a player at said machine measured distances thereon, one of the described parts being adapted to move with respect to the other, the movable part being operatively con-- nected to the said ball to be moved thereby, the second named of the two parts together with said scale adapted for denoting upon the chart in exact ratio the distance of actual travel of said captive ball in its flight.

19. An attachment for a machine for playing a gameincluding a chart showing,

spect thereto including two measurement scales reading in opposite direction but movable in the same direction adapted for use in conjunction with denoted positions at said chart. 1

20. An attachment for a machine for playing a game comprising a ch'art showing a playing field, a part adapted for position adjacent said chart movable with respect thereto including a measurement scale adapted for use in conjunction with'denoted positions at said chart, and an indicator portion extending from the said part opposite the character on said scale denoting the least value.

21. An attachment for a machine for playing a game comprising a chart of ring form showing a playing field, and a part adapted to lie within the chart, rotatable with respect to it, and having a measurement scale arranged at its marginal edge adjacent the-said chart,and an indicator portion extending'from the said marginal edge opposite the character of said scaledenoting the least value.

22. In combination with a machine for playing a game including a captive ball, an attachment therefor including a chart representing a game-course, and an indicator or pointer, one of the described elements adapted to travel with respect to the other, said ball having operative connection with the movable element for driving it, and two measurement scales fixed with respect to the indicator or pointer, reading in opposite directions therefrom, and lying adjacent to and readable upon the said chart.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

. GEORGE D. BABCOCK. 

